The Who’s rock musical “Tommy,” with its electrifying tunes, dazzling dances and powerful story, will shake things up this February as part of the Jewish Community Center’s Performing Arts Series at the White Theatre.
“Tommy,” the 1993 Tony Award winner for best original score, is Peter Townshend’s story of a young boy’s journey from pain to triumph. After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother’s lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbors. As an adolescent, he’s discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, and when his mother finally breaks through his catatonia, he becomes an international pinball superstar.
The Jewish Community Center production opens Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the White Theatre at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St, Overland Park, KS. Additional evening performances are Feb. 16, 18, 23 and 25; 2 p.m. performances take place on Feb. 12, 19 and 26.
“Tommy is an incredibly energetic piece of musical theatre. It’s electric; a roller coaster ride from beginning to end! Strap on your seat belt and take this amazing journey!” says Mark Swezey, the production’s director.
“Tommy” is directed by Mark Swezey with music direction by Kristi Mitchell and choreography by Andy Parkhurst. The cast includes a variety of talented local actors including Robert Hingula, a local attorney, in the lead role of Tommy. Hingula’s daughter Darcie is playing the role of young Tommy. Other family ties in the show include brothers Josh and Chris Gleeson and Cassity Mitchell, who is working with her aunt Kristi Mitchell as assistant music director.
Tickets for “Tommy” are $22 for the general public, $16 for JCC members and $11 for students. Discount pricing is also available for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, contact the box office at (913) 327-8054; box office hours are 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets may also be purchased on line by visiting the JCC web site at www.jcckc.org, click on Cultural Arts.
The Jewish Community Center’s mission is to serve people of all ages in an environment of Jewish values and Jewish traditions. For more information, visit the web site or call the main office (913) 327-8000.
Cast of “Tommy” at Jewish Community Center
Actor/residence Role
Robert Hingula/Shawnee Tommy
Chris Gleeson/Kansas City, Mo. Captain Walker
Vanessa Harper/Prairie Village Mrs. Walker
Bob Kohler/Kansas City, Mo. Uncle Ernie
Brent Nanney/Kansas City, Mo. Cousin Kevin
Linnaia McKenzie/Kansas City, Mo. Acid Queen/Ensemble
Nick Pelaccio/Kansas City, Mo. Lad/Ensemble
Joshua Gleeson/Merriam Lad/Ensemble
Heather Layher/Overland Park Sally Simpson/Ensemble
Darcie Hingula/Shawnee 4 year old Tommy
Ryan Sanford/Overland Park 10 year old Tommy
Prisca Kendagor/Lenexa Ensemble/AQ Understudy
Miles Wirth/Shawnee Ensemble
Lyndsey Agron/Merriam Ensemble
Sarah Dothage/Kansas City, Mo. Ensemble
Dana Arnott/Overland Park Ensemble
Hayley Nelson /Olathe Ensemble
Matt MessingOverland Park Ensemble
Gavin King/Kansas City, Mo. Ensemble
Jacob Augare/Raytown, Mo. Ensemble
Austin Strassle/Raytown, Mo. Ensemble
Jayson Chandley/Kansas City, Mo. Ensembl
